Discusses how America's revolutionaries--including Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine and Ethan Allen--were inspired by ideas that were ancient and pagan in nature, including the work of Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius and Dutch heretic Benedict de Spinoza.

Includes index.

The dirty little screw of the American Revolution -- Pathologies of freedom -- Epicurus's dangerous idea -- On the genealogy of nature's god -- Self -- evident truths -- The pursuit of happiness -- The empire of reason -- The religion of freedom.